Cap or crown of a rotating cosmetic casing

ABSTRACT

A rotating cosmetics case, including a cap or crown ( 1 ) mounted in the lower portion, in the extension of a sheath ( 2 ) with slide(s) ( 10 ) including in the upper portion an upper stopping element ( 8 ) protruding outwardly, in which is mounted a slideable cursor ( 3 ), intended to receive a cosmetics product, such as a stick of lipstick or lip cream, the cursor ( 3 ) being equipped with at least one lug ( 7 ) engaged in the slider ( 10 ) and extending into a spiral groove ( 6 ) of a spiral covering ( 4 ), the covering being fitted on the sheath ( 2 ), while the crown ( 1 ) comprises a body piece ( 16 ), supporting an upper portion including flexible strips ( 14 ) whose ends interact with the inner wall of the spiral covering ( 4 ), while the crown ( 1 ) further includes at least one flexible tab ( 15 ) whose upper end is assembled with the lower end of the spiral covering ( 4 ).

The present invention relates to a crown of a rotating case, of the typeused to contain cosmetics products, such as a stick of lipstick or lipcreams.

A rotating cosmetics case conventionally consists of a secured crownmounted with a sheath with a slide, in which is arranged a cursor forreceiving a cosmetics product. A spiral covering is fitted on the sheathand held by a stopping means located in the upper and lower portion ofthis latter. However, the design of the spiral covering is such that thelatter has, in general, an axial clearance between the two stoppingmeans. The rotating cosmetics case is further closed by a cap, thislatter being fitted directly on the spiral covering or via a jacket,generally metallic, secured to this latter. The axial clearance of thespiral envelope affects the closing of the cap. This clearance gives theimpression that the case is poorly closed, which is unsightly.

The present invention thus proposes a new crown of a rotating cosmeticscase, making it possible to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages.

Thus, the rotating cosmetics case, according to the invention, comprisesa crown mounted in the lower portion, in the extension of a slidingsheath(s) comprising in the upper portion, an outwardly protruding upperstopping means, in which is mounted a slideable cursor for receiving acosmetics product, intended to receive a cosmetics product, such as astick of lipstick or lip cream, the said cursor being equipped with atleast one lug engaged in said cursor and extending in a spiral groove ofa spiral covering, this latter being fitted on the said sheath, whilethe crown comprises a body piece, supporting an upper portion comprisingflexible strips whose ends interact with the inner wall of the spiralcovering, while the crown further comprises at least one flexible tabwhose upper end comes to assemble with the lower end of the spiralcovering.

It should be added that at least one flexible tab has a height less thanthat of the flexible strips.

It is to be noted that at least one flexible tab is presentedadvantageously in the form of an arch composed of two vertical walls,connected by a horizontal wall, surmounted by a pivot, this lattercoming to be assembled with the lower end of the spiral covering.

It is to be noted that the distance between the lower end of the upperstopping means of the sheath and the upper end of the body piece of thecrown is less than the sum of the heights of the spiral covering and aflexible tab.

According to one characteristic, a flexible tab is arranged between twoflexible strips.

According to one additional characteristic, the sheath comprises a lowerstopping means, while a jacket is fitted and held fast on the spiralcovering, this latter being composed of two cylindrical portions, of twodifferent sections, the first cylindrical part having the weakestsection, and its inner face being arranged correspondingly to the outerface of the sheath, the upper end of the first part stopping against theupper stopping means of the sheath, while its lower end, arranged insidethe second cylindrical portion, comes correspondingly from the lowerstopping means of the sheath, the second cylindrical portion having thelarger section, and its outer upper end coming to assemble with thelower end of the jacket.

It should be noted that according to the preceding characteristic, theends of the flexible strips interact with the inner wall of the secondcylindrical portion of the spiral covering, while at least one flexibletab is assembled with the lower end of the second cylindrical portion ofthe spiral covering.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe description which follows, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings which are given by way of non-limiting examples.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a cosmetics case.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a cosmetic case.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a crown according to one embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view along A-A of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view along B-B of FIG. 3.

Thus, a rotating case, as illustrated in FIG. 2, is advantageouslycomposed of a secured crown (1) or one forming an integral part of asheath (2) with a slide (10), inside which is mounted a mobile, movingcursor (3) for receiving a cosmetics product. The sheath (2) is encasedin a spiral covering (4) mounted in conjunction with a jacket (5). Thesheath (2) and the crown (1) form a subassembly, mounted to move freelyin axial rotation relative to the assembly formed by the spiral covering(4) and the jacket (5).

The jacket (5) is advantageously metallic.

In the following description, it is understood that the rotating case isin the position for use, namely the crown (1) is directed downwards.

The sheath (2) with slide (10), allows engagement of the cursor (3) inaxial translation during the axial rotation of the assembly formed bythe crown (1) and the sheath (2). This assembly is arranged in such away that the axial rotation of the crown (1) engages the slider (3) in atwisting motion. This movement breaks down into a rotation and atranslation, both simultaneously and axially with respect to theassembly formed by the spiral envelope (4) and the jacket (5).

It is to be noted that the sheath (2) advantageously comprises twoslides (10) arranged diametrically opposite, formed longitudinally in atleast one portion of its cylindrical wall.

It is to be noted that the sheath (2) comprises an upper stopping means(8) and a lower stopping means (9) protruding outwardly. In other words,these stopping means (8, 9) are advantageously represented by annularperipheral ribs.

The spiral covering (4) has in its wall at least one spiral groove (6)closed at least at its upper end, preferably two spiral grooves (6),diametrically opposite. At least one groove (6) is a non-through bore.

The spiral covering (4) is retained by the upper stopping means (8) andthe lower stopping means (9) of the sheath (2).

The metal jacket (5) advantageously comprises, in the upper portion, aflange (11), protruding inwards.

The cursor (3) further comprises at least one lug (7) passing through atleast one slide (10) of the sheath (2) and cooperating with at least onegroove (6) of the covering (4). At least one lug (7) thus cooperates ina slideable fashion with at least one slide (10) for engaging the cursor(3) in axial translation with respect to the crown (1), during therotation of the assembly formed by the spiral covering (4) and thejacket (5), in cooperation with at least one spiral groove (6).

The upper portion of the crown (1) is inserted between the outer portionof the sheath (2) and the inner portion of the spiral covering (4),below the lower stopping means (9) of the sheath (2).

According to one embodiment, the rotating case is provided with aclosure cap, which is detachably positioned directly at the free end ofthe case, and comes into a closed position and is positioned around thejacket (5) in order to completely hermetically close the rotating case.

According to another embodiment, the closure cap is moved indirectlyaround the jacket (5), via an annular rib arranged at the lowerperiphery thereof.

It should be added that the crown (1), as illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5,comprises a body piece (16), supporting an upper portion composed offlexible strips (14) and at least one flexible tab (15), preferably twoflexible tabs (15) arranged diametrically opposite.

It should be noted that the flexible tabs (14) extend upward, and areoriented in the opposite direction to the base of the rotating case.These latter are directed outward at their ends relative to the bodypiece (16). The ends of the flexible strips (14) interact with the innerwall of the spiral covering (4), more precisely with the inner wall ofthe second cylindrical portion (13) of the spiral covering (4), asexplained more in detail below. These flexible strips (14) absorb theradial clearance of the rotating case, control the torque and thus slowthe rotation of the assembly formed by the spiral covering (4) and thejacket (5), providing ease of use.

According to one characteristic, the flexible lug(s) (15) has/have (a)lower height(s) than those of the flexible strips (14). At least oneflexible tab (15) is arranged in such a way that its upper end supportsthe lower end of the spiral covering (4), more specifically supports thelower end of the second cylindrical portion (13) of the spiral covering(4), as explained in more detail below.

According to one embodiment, at least one flexible tab (15) is in theform of an arch composed of two vertical walls, connected by ahorizontal wall, surmounted by a pivot.

According to the previous embodiment, the upper end of the spiralcovering (4) stops against the upper stopping means (8) of the sheath(2), while the lower end of the spiral covering (4) stops in compressionagainst the pivot of the flexible tab (15), causing a bending of thevertical walls of this latter, ensuring the maintenance of the spiralcovering (4) and eliminating the axial clearance of this latter.

It is understood that a flexible lug (15) according to the invention canbe arranged in another form, while keeping the characteristics ofmaintaining compression and eliminating the axial clearance of thespiral covering (4).

According to a complementary feature, a flexible tab (15) is arrangedbetween two flexible strips (14).

It should be noted that the spiral covering (4) is composed of twocylindrical portions (12, 13) from two different sections. The firstcylindrical portion (12), which comprises at least one spiral groove (6)in its wall, opening towards the inside, has the weakest section, andits internal face is arranged correspondingly from the outer face of thesheath. (2). The upper end of the first portion (12) stops against theupper stopping means (8) of the sheath (2), while its lower end,arranged inside the second cylindrical portion (13), comescorrespondingly from the lower stopping means (9) of the sheath (2). Thesecond cylindrical portion (13) has the larger section, and its outerupper end comes to assemble with the lower end of the jacket (5), whileits inner face comes to collaborate with the crown, namely the flexiblestrips (14) of the crown (1). The lower end of the second cylindricalportion (13) of the spiral envelope (4) stops against at least oneflexible tab (15).

According to one embodiment, the sheath (2) does not comprise a lowerstopping means (9).

According to another embodiment, the spiral covering (4) consists of thesame profile and is therefore not made up of two portions of differentsection. According to this latter embodiment, the cosmetics caseadvantageously does not include a jacket (5).

An axial clearance of the spiral covering (4) is present because thedistance between the lower end of the upper stopping means (8) and theupper end of the lower stopping means (9) of the sheath (2) is greaterthan the height of the first cylindrical portion (12) of the spiralcovering (4).

The axial clearance of the spiral covering (4) is eliminated in that thedistance between the lower end of the upper stopping means (8) of thesheath (2) and the upper end of the body piece of the crown (1), is lessthan the sum of the heights of the spiral covering (4) and a flexibletab (15).

Note that the spiral covering (4) being secured with the jacket (5), theclosing cap which fits on this latter, the elimination of the axialclearance of the spiral covering (4), eliminates the axial clearance ofthe closing cap. This feature makes it possible to provide a rotatingcase of very good quality, having a rendering and a finish unrivaledwith respect to cases available on the market, with no visuallyunattractive clearance and with a perceivable sensation when closingsecurely.

According to an alternative of the invention, at least one flexible tab(15) is not arranged on the body piece of the crown (1), but rather onthe lower end of the spiral covering (4). According to this alternative,the lower end of at least one flexible lug (15) presses against theupper end of the body piece of the crown (1), ensuring the maintenanceof the spiral covering (4) and removing the axial clearance of thislatter.

1. A rotating cosmetics case, comprising a crown (1) mounted, in thelower portion, in the extension of a sheath (2) with slide(s) (10)comprising in the upper portion, an upper stopping means (8) protrudingoutwardly, in which is mounted a slideable cursor (3), intended toreceive a cosmetics product, such as a stick of lipstick or lip cream,said cursor (3) being equipped with at least one lug (7) engaged in saidslide (10) and extending in a spiral groove (6) of a spiral covering(4), this latter being fitted on the said sheath (2), while the crown(1) comprises a body piece (16), supporting an upper portion comprisingflexible strips (14) whose ends interact with the inner wall of thespiral covering (4), wherein the crown (1) further comprises at leastone flexible tab (15) whose upper end is assembled with the lower end ofthe spiral covering (4).
 2. A rotating cosmetics case according to claim1, wherein the at least one flexible tab (15) has a height less thanthat of the flexible strips (14).
 3. A rotating cosmetics case accordingto claim 1, wherein the at least one flexible tab (15) is in the form ofan arch composed of two vertical walls, connected by a horizontal wall,surmounted by a pivot, this latter coming to assemble with the lower endof the spiral covering (4).
 4. A rotating cosmetics case according toclaim 1, wherein the distance between the lower end of the upperstopping means (8) of the sheath (2) and the upper end of the body pieceof the crown (1) is less than the sum of the heights of the spiralcovering (4) and a flexible tab (15).
 5. A rotating cosmetics caseaccording to claim 1, wherein a flexible tab (15) is arranged betweentwo flexible strips (14).
 6. A rotating cosmetics case according toclaim 1, wherein the sheath (2) comprises a lower stopping means (9),while a jacket (5) is fitted and secured to the spiral covering (4),this latter is composed of two cylindrical portions (12, 13) of twodifferent sections, the first cylindrical portion (12) having theweakest section, and its internal face being arranged correspondinglyfrom the outer face of the sheath (2), the upper end of the firstportion (12) stopping against the upper stopping means (8) of the sheath(2), while its lower end, arranged inside the second cylindrical portion(13), correspondingly from the lower stopping means of the sheath (2),the second cylindrical portion (13) having the larger section, and itsouter upper end coming to assemble with the lower end of the jacket (5).7. A rotating cosmetics case according to claim 1, wherein the ends ofthe flexible strips (14) interact with the inner wall of the secondcylindrical portion (13) of the spiral covering (4).
 8. A rotatingcosmetics case according to claim 6, wherein the upper end of at leastone flexible tab (15) is assembled with the lower end of the secondcylindrical portion (13) of the spiral covering (4).
 9. A rotatingcosmetics case according to claim 2, wherein the at least one flexibletab (15) is in the form of an arch composed of two vertical walls,connected by a horizontal wall, surmounted by a pivot, this lattercoming to assemble with the lower end of the spiral covering (4).
 10. Arotating cosmetics case according to claim 2, wherein the distancebetween the lower end of the upper stopping means (8) of the sheath (2)and the upper end of the body piece of the crown (1) is less than thesum of the heights of the spiral covering (4) and a flexible tab (15).11. A rotating cosmetics case according to claim 3, wherein the distancebetween the lower end of the upper stopping means (8) of the sheath (2)and the upper end of the body piece of the crown (1) is less than thesum of the heights of the spiral covering (4) and a flexible tab (15).12. A rotating cosmetics case according to claim 2, wherein a flexibletab (15) is arranged between two flexible strips (14).
 13. A rotatingcosmetics case according to claim 3, wherein a flexible tab (15) isarranged between two flexible strips (14).
 14. A rotating cosmetics caseaccording to claim 4, wherein a flexible tab (15) is arranged betweentwo flexible strips (14).
 15. A rotating cosmetics case according toclaim 2, wherein the sheath (2) comprises a lower stopping means (9),while a jacket (5) is fitted and secured to the spiral covering (4),this latter is composed of two cylindrical portions (12, 13) of twodifferent sections, the first cylindrical portion (12) having theweakest section, and its internal face being arranged correspondinglyfrom the outer face of the sheath (2), the upper end of the firstportion (12) stopping against the upper stopping means (8) of the sheath(2), while its lower end, arranged inside the second cylindrical portion(13), correspondingly from the lower stopping means of the sheath (2),the second cylindrical portion (13) having the larger section, and itsouter upper end coming to assemble with the lower end of the jacket (5).16. A rotating cosmetics case according to claim 3, wherein the sheath(2) comprises a lower stopping means (9), while a jacket (5) is fittedand secured to the spiral covering (4), this latter is composed of twocylindrical portions (12, 13) of two different sections, the firstcylindrical portion (12) having the weakest section, and its internalface being arranged correspondingly from the outer face of the sheath(2), the upper end of the first portion (12) stopping against the upperstopping means (8) of the sheath (2), while its lower end, arrangedinside the second cylindrical portion (13), correspondingly from thelower stopping means of the sheath (2), the second cylindrical portion(13) having the larger section, and its outer upper end coming toassemble with the lower end of the jacket (5).
 17. A rotating cosmeticscase according to claim 4, wherein the sheath (2) comprises a lowerstopping means (9), while a jacket (5) is fitted and secured to thespiral covering (4), this latter is composed of two cylindrical portions(12, 13) of two different sections, the first cylindrical portion (12)having the weakest section, and its internal face being arrangedcorrespondingly from the outer face of the sheath (2), the upper end ofthe first portion (12) stopping against the upper stopping means (8) ofthe sheath (2), while its lower end, arranged inside the secondcylindrical portion (13), correspondingly from the lower stopping meansof the sheath (2), the second cylindrical portion (13) having the largersection, and its outer upper end coming to assemble with the lower endof the jacket (5).
 18. A rotating cosmetics case according to claim 5,wherein the sheath (2) comprises a lower stopping means (9), while ajacket (5) is fitted and secured to the spiral covering (4), this latteris composed of two cylindrical portions (12, 13) of two differentsections, the first cylindrical portion (12) having the weakest section,and its internal face being arranged correspondingly from the outer faceof the sheath (2), the upper end of the first portion (12) stoppingagainst the upper stopping means (8) of the sheath (2), while its lowerend, arranged inside the second cylindrical portion (13),correspondingly from the lower stopping means of the sheath (2), thesecond cylindrical portion (13) having the larger section, and its outerupper end coming to assemble with the lower end of the jacket (5).
 19. Arotating cosmetics case according to claim 2, wherein the ends of theflexible strips (14) interact with the inner wall of the secondcylindrical portion (13) of the spiral covering (4).
 20. A rotatingcosmetics case, comprising: a crown mounted on an extension of a slidesheath; a slideable cursor intended to receive an associated cosmeticsproduct, said cursor located in said slide sheath and comprising atleast one lug located in a spiral groove of a spiral covering on theslide sheath; the crown comprising a body including an upper portioncomprising flexible strips whose ends interact with an inner wall of thespiral covering, wherein the crown further comprises at least oneflexible tab whose upper end is assembled with a lower end of the spiralcovering.